What Catholic or Protestant Minister today would tell a Church that he would visit them after Ramadan, an Islamic observance? He would more likely say, "I’ll come to you after Thanksgiving," a holiday well known to American Christians.

So when Paul told the Galatians to "become as I am, for I also have become as you are," he was saying that as they had left their former life in pagan idolatry to be joined to Abraham’s Covenant through Christ, he too had left his former life in Judaism and Sinai Covenant to be joined to Abraham’s Covenant of Promise through Christ. Notice Philippians 3:5-7, Paul was "circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the Church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ." In verses 2 and 3 of this Chapter he refers to Judaizers as "dogs," "evil workers" and "the false circumcision." He goes on to tell the Philippians that in Christ they were the "true circumcision."

Now notice this frightening rebuke Paul delivered to those who were beginning to practice Christianity according to the flesh, the Sinai Covenant and Judaism, -"Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the WHOLE Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Gal. 5:2-4) We have already seen that Paul kept and taught God’s Commandments and Holy Day Festivals, so we must understand that there is a distinction between the Laws in Abraham’s Covenant and the "whole" Law in the Sinai Covenant which contained hundreds of Laws which were added due to transgressions. (Gal. 3:19)

To those wavering Hebrew Christians the case is made that in Christ there is superior revelation, superiority over angels, superiority over Moses, superiority over Aaronic Priests, superior sacrifice, superior Covenant ratified by Christ and then a plea to not turn back to "elementary" (beginning things) teachings about Christ but press on in persevering faith in Christ as all and in all.

Let us take into account that "elementary" things and teachings and even "shadows" are not bad, they just cannot make us perfect or take us into maturity in Christ.

* With all these things in mind let us now look at Hebrews Chapters 5 and 6. After explaining the superiority which is in Christ in every way, and that everything past is "elementary" and "shadows" of more heavenly realities, let us see the Apostle’s assessment of his Hebrew brethren, -"Concerning Him (Jesus as Melchizedek and High Priest) we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." (5:11-12) These brethren were looking back and focusing on the shadows rather than remembering what the Apostles had taught them. They had forgotten the spiritual meaning of those types and shadows in the light of Christ. They had gone from college, spiritually, back to elementary school.

Now notice Chapter 6:1-2, -"Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment." All of these tenets of the Christian faith are good and necessary, but they are only the elementary, or beginnings of the faith and there is a need to press on to our maturity in Christ, -"Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature, a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Cor. 2:6-8)

We have already seen that Paul had taught the Holy Days to the Gentiles and was observing them himself by his own admission. Since the Galatian heresy was birthed by Judaizers insisting that the brethren turn back to observing Christianity according to elementary teachings, it is reasonable to conclude that they were making the same error that their Hebrew brethren were. The Judaizers still taught the elementary shadows of worship at the temple in Jerusalem, animal sacrifices, the whole Law of Moses administered by the Aaronic and Levitical Priesthoods, the tenets of the Sinai Covenant, and in observing the annual Festivals of God in the place and the way that Moses had instructed.

Since the Scriptures reveal that the Apostle Paul kept and taught the Ten Commandments and annual Festivals of God, in order to harmonize the Word of God we must conclude that the Galatian Church had begun to keep these days, months and years according to the elementary teachings as first delivered to Moses and not according to their heavenly realities in Christ Jesus. Here is the spiritual meaning of the annual Holy Day Festivals of the Lord.

PASSOVER: Christ is our Passover Lamb whose shed Blood saves us from eternal death. Jesus was crucified on this day to fulfill the meaning of it. It is an annual memorial of the Lord’s death. It occurs in the Spring at the time of the Barley harvest on the 14th day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. This harvest represents a harvest of souls, the first-fruits, saints of God, bride of Christ, who will rise in glory at His coming.

FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD: This seven day festival follows the Passover, beginning on the 15th day of the first Hebrew month. It also occurs at the Barley harvest. Jesus was the wave shelf of the Barley and when accepted the rest of the harvest could be reaped. This is a seven day (number of perfection) celebration of the glorious truth that we have been made "unleavened"-without sin by Jesus, our Passover Lamb.

PENTECOST: This occurs in the summer and is connected with the Wheat harvest. Fifty days is counted from the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened bread to arrive at the date, therefore Pentecost is always on a Sunday. This is the day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples and the Church of Jesus Christ began. It also represents the future harvest of Israel for their salvation.

TRUMPETS: This occurs on the 1st day of the seventh Hebrew month and represents the return of Christ in all of His glory. It is the time of the first resurrection and is associated with the harvest of the Vine and Produce.

DAY OF ATONEMENT: This occurs on the 10th day of the seventh month and points to the time when Satan and his demons will be put away and the world will become at-one-ment with God. It also points to the time when the resurrected saints will be presented to the Father.

FEAST OF TABERNACLES: This is a seven day Festival that begins on the 15th day of the seventh Hebrew month. It is a time of rejoicing because it pictures the Kingdom of God being established upon the earth and the knowledge of God filling the earth. It is a time when the nations will war no more and there will be peace at last. Jesus and His saints will rule for a thousand years. It is a harvest of souls who will have survived the Great Tribulation.

LAST GREAT DAY: This is sometimes called the eighth day of Tabernacles since it follows immediately. But it has its own meaning. It is the time of the second resurrection and the Great White Throne Judgment of God. It is also a harvest of souls, as billions who are resurrected will have the books of the Bible opened to their understanding and they will have an opportunity to have salvation and fellowship with God. Following this time the present earth and heavens will perish and give way to new heavens and a new earth. It is the time when the New Jerusalem will descend and God the Father will descend on His throne.

An Inflamed Appendix Healed

By Larry R. Lasiter

On August 17th; 2002, we received word that a member of our church was at the hospital with their 18 year old daughter. She was experiencing excruciating pain in her lower abdomen which the physicians believed to be an inflamed appendix.To make matters worse, she was 7 months pregnant. To make matters much worse, this young woman's parents had been saved only three years earlier and she had rebelled and left home. She had told me and her parents that she wanted to "serve the devil." She had been taking illegal drugs, practicing immorality and had set her course to self-destruction. In all of this she knew that we loved her and were continually in spiritual warfare for her, offering prayers of intercession daily.

After Sabbath services, several members of the church and I went to the hospital. In the room, we stood around her bed as she suffered. Her mother turned to me and said,- "We can pray for her." I replied, "Only if she wants prayer." The mother then asked her daughter,- "Do you want us to pray for you?" The girl indifferently replied,-"If you want to."

I knew that Satan had a stranglehold on this girl. And I also knew that she had invited the powers of darkness into her life,- she must now invite the power of God into her life by requesting a prayer for healing. I said to her,- "We already pray for you everyday. But if you want prayer for anointing you must ask for it." She stubbornly refused, rejecting God's involvement.

Soon afterward a surgeon and a nurse entered the room and asked that we wait in the hallway for a few minutes. The surgeon told this young woman that there was a small chance that she may die during surgery, and a 15% chance that the baby would not survive.

The news devastated the family. While they tried to comfort her the rest of us went to the waiting room. Minutes later her father came and said that she was asking for me. I went, hoping she would open her heart to receive a Word from the Lord. I stood at her bedside waiting for the invitation to ask for God's involvement.

She had great difficulty, truly a struggle was taking place within her. Part of her desperately wanted to ask for prayer, but the spiritual powers of darkness were doing their best to stop her. Her face began to distort as she began to sob, but finally said,- "Brother Larry would you please pray for me?"

As I laid hands upon her head I could feel the demons shudder as the power of God surged like electricity. I knew that God had healed her of an inflamed appendix, but more importantly had implanted Words into her being that would stay, and continually trouble the devil's plan. She also knew that she had been healed but did not say so at the time because she still did not want to totally change her lifestyle. She wanted only enough God to get out of this situation. This was an important moment. One who sows much reaps much and one who sows little reaps little. It seemed that she wanted to sow, but only a little, which meant that God would deliver accordingly.

The door opened and another physician entered. He said the first surgeon was wrong in saying that she and her baby may die. He said,- "The worst thing that could happen is that you may give birth prematurely, but the baby should be fine." He then noticed that she was no longer vomiting, in pain or running a fever. He checked the readings on her monitor and saw they were normal. He said,- "Though the ultra-sound showed an inflamed appendix, I am tempted to wait until morning since everything seems normal now."

He asked me to step out of the room while he examined her again to determine whether to cancel the surgery or not. Moments later he quickly exited the room and said, "It is definitely appendicitis, we must get her in surgery!"

Seeing this, I knew that there were still demonic strongholds exercising their powers, so I went back to the waiting room and told the brethren there to begin praying fervently. I knew that she had been healed, but I also knew that she was holding back in professing it, and giving God the glory for it.

There in that public waiting room members of the Crusade Church of God in Russellville, Arkansas got on their knees and began offering powerful prayers to the Living God. We prayed for well over an hour. During this time I could hear the waiting room door open and close from time to time, but we did not care for we were lost in prayer.

The physicians performed the surgery and removed a perfectly healthy appendix. The inflamation they had seen on the ultra-sound was no longer there, which of course was "impossible."

But by asking for prayer, this girl had dared the impossible and found that with God nothing is impossible. She later admitted that she knew immediately that she had been healed. Had she given God the glory at first she would not have experienced this unneeded surgery. I am convinced that the physician would have cancelled it. In prayers offered in faith, the brethren also dared the impossible and prevailed.

God has promised that those who believe would be clothed with power from Heaven. That signs and wonders would follow them as they walk their walk of faith.

We must only believe to receive, and act to see the fact. God's promises are never "yes", "no" and "maybe," but only "yes." Notice,- "But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no, for the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us. . .was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are YES." (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)

Freed From Sin

By Larry R. Lasiter

"For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19

A man is not a sinner because he sins, but sins because he is a sinner. David said that he was conceived in sin - meaning that he had inherited the nature of Adam who was the first sinner. Through Adam’s disobedience we all inherited sin and death, but through the obedience of Christ, the last Adam, we inherit His righteousness and life. We are not sinners because of what we have done, but because of what Adam did. Likewise, Christians are not righteous because of what they have done, but because of what Jesus did.

It is not only what we have done that is wrong, but our very nature in the flesh is wrong and cannot please God. This is why the flesh must be crucified with Christ and we must be made a new creation in Him. Since Adam’s nature is sinful we must be born of the divine nature of God through the Spirit of God, -"He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Pet.1)

When witnessing we must always point to the problem of man’s sin nature rather than merely focusing on bringing to light the personal and individual sins which have been committed. A sinner can easily be deceived into believing that they are a good person who has done some bad things. And they can quickly conclude that if they simply work a little harder at being good they will be fine. We must always point out that God must deal with more than past sins committed, but also with the very source of sin which is the sin nature of Adam.

The Bible plainly says that there are none good, not even one. In Adam we are all sinners, but in Christ we are made righteous and holy. This is why there is no other Way but Christ for salvation. One may think that kind, benevolent and loving people who do not confess Christ can be saved, but there is no salvation outside of Christ. We inherit sin and death from Adam and inherit reconciliation, righteousness and life in Christ Jesus.

You and I exist because of Adam. If Adam had died before he produced offspring then we would have died with him because in the flesh, we are the fruits of his loins. In the flesh we are all associated with Adam, but in the Spirit we are identified with Christ.

As we see in our text, the old self which is from Adam must be crucified in order to deliver us from his sin nature. In Hebrews 7 Paul makes a case that the priesthood of Melchezedek is eternal and better than Aaron, the Levite’s priesthood which was temporary. To prove his point, the Apostle argues that when Abraham gave tithes to Melchezedek Levi was offering tithes too though he was still in his grandfather’s loins. So, because Abraham was the head of the family, what he did was also credited to Levi even before he was born.

Likewise, "in Christ" what the Lord has done is credited to us who have been born in Him, and even now exist in Him. By His perfect obedience we were made righteous. Our sins were paid by His Blood. And with Him we receive the divine nature, and the old self was crucified with Him.

Who Will Make Room?

By Donald Turner

May, 2002

I felt the Presence of God very heavily during praise and worship services. As we were singing, the Presence of God was ministering to me. The Lord spoke to me, saying - "I look down to see whom I may fill with My spirit. Who will I pour My spirit upon? Who will make room?" The Lord went on to let me know that He is not hidden, but to seek and we will find. The Lord actually did it in a humorous way by referring to the game of Hide and Seek - that we are not playing Hide and Seek.

The Lord definitely wants us to do more seeking. The Lord does not hide from His children. If there is any hiding it is we who are doing it. the Lord wanted me to know that He wants to fill us completely with His spirit and that we should not hide from Him. The Lord wants to be all and in all.

"Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world." –John Piper

The Eagle Christian

By John Murry, Deacon

How can anyone not believe in a creator, of all that be, in the heavens and in the earth? With all the evidence and scientific proof, common sense says, they choose to not believe. As one observes nature with its grandeur and beauty, it declares that a hand of love created this. The Bible in Ps. 19-1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows forth the work of His hands".

If you listen quietly, you can hear the earth's melody; the mountains echoing their voice, the waterfall singing its song, the wind through the trees whispering their tune. You can hear the thunder clapping and rumbling, and see the clouds rolling and lightening flashing. The animals each have their own language, and the fowl all communicating in their manner different from all other species. The smaller birds of the air with their beauty in glorious colors have such sweet melodies; they must be giving praise to the one who created and cares for them. The valleys and the fields are not left out with their plant life; the flowers so intricately made with magnificent beauty and fragrance, to each its own glory.

Oh, how great a designer there had to be to bring forth all this magnificent beauty and music! It can be no other than GOD, who is far above what anything created can imagine. Where is He? This space we dwell in is not large enough for His dwelling place, so look up, up to the heavenlies. What do you see? More grandeur, more majestic beauty in the sky with the sun by day, the moon and stars by night, which the natural eye can see; but, oh, with the telescope how much more majesty can be observed! No, all this did not just happen with a bang. It came about with a thunderous roar, the VOICE of our loving GOD who spoke and said "LET THERE BE!" And it was, and is, and will be, until He returns to take His children home. We who believe in Him, trust Him, and love Him with all our heart, all our soul, and all our might. We will see all the glory and breath taking beauty of our home in heaven, which no words can describe. Now why do you suppose God went to all this extreme to create such beauty and melodious sound with such majestic surroundings? The mankind which He created in His likeness and image was for His good pleasure, and He wanted to share with man all that He is and has. God wants a family to shower his love on.

Another amazing thing is God created the animal and fowl with instinct to guide it, which corresponds with the life of man who is led by spirit. They can be taught many things by man, but not only does the animal and fowl learn from man, man can also learn many things by observing their life. Take the eagle for example, what can we learn from observing it? Did you know the eagle is mentioned in the Bible 32 times? The ways of a man being compared to the ways of an eagle and even God compares Himself to an eagle. The eagle has God given virtues such as strength, power, majesty, boldness, dependability, combined with tenderness and faithfulness; all virtues of a Christian. There are two types of eagles in the Bible lands: The golden eagle likens us to partakers of God's divine nature while the imperial eagle speaks of kings. An eagle is king of the sky, afraid of neither man, beast or elements. By the blood of Jesus we have been made kings and priests unto God. The baby eagle has to learn who he is and how to fly. We too have to learn who we are and learn how to soar above the storms of life. We both must learn we have been given strength and power. In the Bible it says in Is. 40:28-31,–"they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint".

The word 'wait' in Hebrew is 'Qavah' which translated means to bind together as by twisting; used in a sense of plaiting together of cord to produce a rope. As we entwine our spirits with the Father God, the two are interlocked together. Storms of life must come, but we too can learn to fearlessly soar above the turbulence of the storm. We can learn how to let the air currents of the Holy Spirit bear us up above the turmoil and confusion with the God given peace that passes all understanding. Our wings are Faith, Prayer, and Praise. We have been given the power and authority to overcome in the name of JESUS.

Eagles are birds of light; They hunt and fly in the day not night. Owls are of the dark as people of the world are of darkness. The eagle has nothing at all to do with the owl, in fact they shun all fowl of the night. Smaller birds like to torment and harass the eagle; the eagle responds to this not by defensive attacks but only by flying higher; by rising above their tormentors. Pilots have seen the eagle as much as 25,000 feet, (4-5 miles) above the earth and as far as 900 mile from any land. Their flying speed has been registered at 100 mph, and their diving speed at 200 mph. They have two sets of eyelids one for flight and one for earth. The eagle can focus; (single mindedness of purpose) nothing can distract him when he focuses on his prey, does not deviate from his target.

Man also has double vision in a sense; our earthly vision and spiritual vision. Our focus is to be centered on Christ, to fulfill God's purpose, and to be in constant fellowship with Him by praying without ceasing and abiding in His Word. James 1:5-8, -"the double minded man is unstable in all his ways". The eagle has patience; will sit on the nest days without eating until their mate returns with food, or will sit hours waiting on their prey. Heb.5:36 " For patience is necessary so that after you have done the will of God you might receive the promise".

The eagle has no problem with gender; how about that, they know if they are male or female, and they mate for life. The male has his role and the female has hers. They hunt together, they play together and work together.Their courtship is throughout their life. It has been observed that, while the female sits on the nest, her mate brings a green sprig of a plant or flower daily, and preens (grooms) her feathers. They cavort in the air by clinging together with their talons, and doing somersaults. He helps her with the eaglets; they both care for their young, and protect very fiercely their young and each other. God's Word says in Eph 5:25-28 " Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her - -"

The eagle's nest, their home, is well built; 4' x 9', can weigh as much as a ton, being built with very large sticks, brush, twigs, roots, grass, leaves, and lined with soft down grass, moss, wool, animal fur, and feathers. They build their nest in high places in the mountain peaks on rocky ledges or cliffs. Deut.32:11-13 "As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, taketh them, and bears them on her wings, so the Lord alone did lead him (Jacob-Israel) and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth that he might eat the increase of the field; and He made him suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock." We as Christians are called to dwell high above the earth, not be earth bound, seated in the heavenly in Christ Jesus.

Another analogy of the eagle and man is when we are down and out, feeling sorry for our self, or in a state of depression. If the eagle has lost his mate, or is taken into captivity, he seemingly loses hope, is down in the dumps, then he becomes a 'dirty bird'; his appearance is that of a bad hair day, and he even eats garbage rather than his usual delicacy of fresh meat. Can anyone relate to this behavior?

When he starts getting older his beak calcifies, his talons get blunt, his movements in flight are slower, he has another bad hair day, his feathers get matted together. Well, what does he do then? He heads for the high country! Close to the sun and lands on a rock; we run to The Son, who is The Rock. The eagle slowly beats his beak against the rocks until all calcification is gone. He hones his talons on the rocks until they are razor sharp. He plucks his wing feathers, then finds a refreshing mountain stream to wash in the icy cold water to get rid of the lice and parasites; the old feathers are washed away, clean and naked stands before the sun he becomes fresh and alive; as we get clean by the washing of The Word, and the honing of The Rock to grind away all the false ideas and the ways of the world. Ps. 103:5 "He satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's".

There are various species of eagles as various nationalities of people.The Harpy eagle is a very powerful eagle, weighing over 20 pounds, stands 3 ft. in height with a wing span of 7 ft.. Harpy in Hebrew means, winged wolf. He is bold and fearless, and kills animals 3 x his size and weight.

The Bible says in 2 Tim.1:7 "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind". This eagle never gives up a battle, he has great perseverance. In building his nest in the face of storms, fire, blizzards,or earthquakes, no matter how many times his nest is destroyed he rebuilds. He never abandons his nest, that is his home. Satan is out to destroy, steal, and kill mankind, doing anything to keep him from succeeding or fulfilling his purpose in life; but Rev.3:12 says, " to him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God". As the eagle has built his house on a rock so should we build on The Rock, Jesus Christ. Luke 6:47-48: states, "Whosoever comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you unto whom he is like: he is like a man who built a house and dug deep and laid the foundation on rock, and when the flood arose the river beat vehemently upon that house and could not shake it, for it was founded upon rock".

In Job 39: 30 it states," the young eaglet sucks up blood, and wherever the slain are, there she is". As blood gives and sustains the life of the eaglet, so the blood of Jesus, who was slain for us, gives us life and sustains us. We have been redeemed by His precious blood. Our God created us in His likeness and image.

As Christians (His children) we have been given His nature and character, with a new heart and desire to please Him. He has given us authority and power to overcome, to tread upon serpents and scorpions. Christ has defeated our enemy, Satan, and won the victory for us to walk in. We have been given eternal life. So what hinders us from soaring above all storms of life to new heights in the Holy Spirit, on wings of faith, prayer and praise. Let us go forth as Eagle Christians and bring Glory and Honor to our God, our Father, and our Lord, Jesus Christ.

* "God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile" – Max Lucado

* "Let God’s promises shine on your problems." –Corrie Ten Boom

The Story Behind "It is Well with My Soul"

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family - a wife, Anna, and five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year, much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet, God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more.

On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. Among the passengers were Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would join her and their children in Europe a few days later. His plan was to take another ship.

About four days into the crossing of the Atlantic, the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Suddenly, all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her four children to the deck. She knelt there with Annie, Margaret Lee, Bessie and Tanetta and prayed that God would spare them if that could be His will, or to make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the Ville du Harve slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including the four Spafford children.

A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel which, nine days later, landed them in Cardiff, Wales. From there she wired her husband a message which began, "Saved alone, what shall I do?" Mr. Spafford later framed the telegram and placed it in his office.

Another of the ship’s survivors, Pastor Weiss, later recalled Anna saying, "God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why."

Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" while on this journey.

With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children perished. Mr Spafford thanked the Captain and made his way up to the deck. Through the darkness watching as the sea billows rolled, this truth comforted him, "It is well with my soul." He put it to pen initially as a poem, but it later became one of America’s most beloved hymns.

"When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Anna gave birth to three more children, one of which died at age four with dreaded pneumonia. In August 1881, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem. Mr. Spafford died and is buried in that city.

Join Us for the Feast of Tabernacles 2019

Just minutes from downtown Searcy, Arkansas and only 50 minutes from Little Rock is Camp Wyldewood. Searcy is ranked the 63rd best small town in America by Bizjournal.com. You can expect gorgeous fall weather during this time in Arkansas The camp has 26 cabins available for a cost of only $120 per person for the eight days of the Feast. The cabins have air conditioning and heat. There are camp sites for tents available at the same cost. The Camp has full bath houses, group kitchen and dining hall which will be open for use to those attending.

We will be having lively praise and worship and meaningful messages. God’s Presence always shows up and touches His people. Activities will include a Christian Concert, Fun Show, Kid's Day, Group Cook Out, and our very special Banquet, An Evening in the Court of King Jesus. The Little Red River runs against the Camp and offers great trout fishing. Camp Wyldewood offers horseback riding also. Make your plans soon while accommodations are available. Call 479-747-8407

For More Feast Information

www.pointsoftuth.com/feast.html

YOUTH SPEAKS

Which Group Will You Join?

By Awbrie Morgan

I want to address a few things that I’ve noticed or have heard people say when we’re discussing Christianity. Christianity is simply God’s Way of living our lives. Jesus referred to Himself as "the Way."

Sometimes when I point out that something that they’re doing is a sin, I often get, "Well, God doesn’t really care about those little things because He loves us and just wants us to love Him." They seem to believe that they can continue to disobey God and be accepted by Him anyway. The Point is not whether God will "love" them, but will He "accept" them if they choose to continue to disobey Him.

Since this is merely human thinking and is not supported by the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, it has concerned me enough that I was moved to write this article. To make my point I will ask these questions. "If someone commits murder are they in danger of Hell?" "If someone commits adultery are they in danger of the Judgment?" Many of you would answer "yes, unless they repented." But many of you wouldn’t feel the same way about someone who broke the fifth Commandment and did not honor and obey their parents. We must be careful to not put certain sins as very evil while other sins are not so bad. All sin if done on purpose is deadly. Paul wrote, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 My point is to show by the Bible that this thinking I’ve encountered is very wrong and dangerous to your soul.

Hebrew Chapter 10, Verses 26-28 is both enlightening and frightening. It addresses this false thinking about God’s attitude about those who practice sin. "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses."

What is God trying to tell us in these verses? Well, we see that those who learn the truth about their sins and then continue to practice them will suffer a judgment of fire and be consumed! We also see that God sees people who continue practicing sin as "adversaries." An adversary is an enemy!

Before you accuse me of being self-righteous, let me be the first to admit that I struggle with sin myself and am far from perfect in my own conduct. Like Paul said of himself in Romans 7, though I agree with God and want to please Him, I sometimes find myself doing the very things that I hate and that God hates. But I do hate it, and I do not try to do those things-I am just weak sometimes. But when I fail I make it a point to ask God’s forgiveness and also for the strength to be stronger the next time I’m tempted. The point is, I do try to obey God and desire to please Him. I love Him and I try to show it by trying to trust and obey Him the best as I can. You know, you really don’t love the Lord if you don’t try to keep His Commandments. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love Me you will keep My Commandments."

The Apostle John said that there are two types of sin, one that leads to death and one that does not lead to death. (1 John 5:16-17) Sin means "to miss the mark." So, if you sin you are missing the mark. The important thing to ask yourself is, are you trying to hit the mark or trying to miss the mark. Those who miss the mark while they are trying to hit the mark are forgiven. But those who miss the mark because they are not even trying to hit the mark will not be forgiven, and John says to not even pray that God would have mercy on those people. The way of regularly sinning on purpose leads to death.

Since I am a Christian who has committed my life to Christ, I am also an ambassador for Him which makes it my job to point these truths out and appeal for those of you who practice sin to repent from the way that leads to death. "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20)

God loves you and Jesus gave His life to wash away your sins. He wants to give you life, but you must first repent from practicing sin. "But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:7-9

In the end, when it’s all said and done, there will be only two groups of people. There will be a very large group which will have rejected or neglected the great salvation that the Lord gave His life to give them, and there will be a very small number who will have received that salvation with joy and will have overcome the world and it’s defilements. Each person in the saved group will receive eternal life in Paradise, but each person in the lost group will be cast into the Lake of Fire. It’s your choice. Which group will you join?

Dreams, Visions and Spiritual Experiences

Crusade Church of God

SARAH (LASITER) MOORER

"Forgive me, Lord! Deliver me from the spirit of fear and pride. I'm desperate for You...I am desperate for Your Word!" Still praying, in mid-thought He began speaking. I paused in my prayer until I was sure it was Him and rushed over to get paper and a pencil.

This is what He said... "You see that I have freed you from sin released you from shame. Bid farewell to these prison walls, for it was for freedom that I set you free. You shall not be bound, you shall be free. You will tread in victory and shame will be that which is trampled upon. Fear will not find a place in you. Am I not your God? Do I not redeem? Do I not save? Walk with me. Know My hand is holding yours and I won't let go of you, My child. I've loved you from the beginning."

And at this point, He was silent. I knew in my spirit, however, that He wasn't finished and so I pursued it, pushing the paper aside and returning to my knees. I looked up at the meeting hall and He said, "These people." I said, "What about these people, Lord?" And He continued, "These people stir My soul. Their hearts turn towards Me and not away from Me like so many. I'm preparing a place and how glorious it will be! You will know Me as I am and you will be as you have been, with Me as at the beginning...My wrath was spent on My perfect Son, for He was slain and My love is for you and you alone, My precious redeemed who wear His blood according to My will."

Having heard this, I received it with such joy, Brethren. I praised Him so much for His lovingkindness to answer me so quickly and so perfectly. God is faithful to do His part when we pursue that which we've been given to do, the way we're called to serve. The body of Christ will function in perfect health when each one of us as members of that body seek to fulfill our individual purpose with compassion and love from a pure heart.

Vision during "Heaven Song" Praise and Prayer 11-4-2016

At the end of "Heaven Song" I saw the Army of the Lord charging down a hill into a valley plain. The Army had a red banner that looked like thin silk that hovered above the entire Army. As long as it was red we knew that the battle raged on. The banner hovered low over us. It was love and a covering. It told us when to fight, and when the war was over. Then Jesus rode across the front line to face all of us and immediately line after line of soldiers fell to kneel before Him-it looked like a wave. The last enemy was defeated and the banner over us which had been colored red by His Blood and the blood of the martyrs turned white. The red melted away from the front to the back and we knew then that our war was over. Joy and praise was tangible in the air, we were so excited. I felt palpable joy but was given the impression that the joy on that Day is unique-not like anything we can feel as long as there is war.

Revelation 15:2 -Prophetic Dream

It was one of those moments when you can’t stay awake. When the dream started I was in a dark forest. I could only see shadows for the most part. I was riding a horse and there were many horses among me with people on them. I was so in-sync with my horse that it didn’t feel that I was on one. The horses were all galloping at full speed and were in formation-a battle formation. I could hear the sound of many hooves crushing to the ground as they rushed forward. My heart was racing at the time.

I jumped scenes and was standing on at the edge of a cliff, and as I looked down I saw a bluish fire just off the cliff. Fear struck my heart greatly as I felt the Lord tell me to move forward. I stood there in disbelief and fear but I still felt moved to step forward. I stepped forward, and stood on clear glass mingled with fire. I wondered about this dream for a couple of years before Michael Lasiter one day read in Revelation 15:2 during an outdoor Bible Study, -"And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those how had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on a sea of glass, holding harps of God." As I listened, I said in my heart "that’s my dream."

BRITTNEY SLUSHER

Feast of Tabernacles 2005 Camp Powder Fork

The Burning Bush

During this particular time it was a beautiful clear night. Our cabins at Powder Fork were set up with two cabins combined together. My roommates were Jessica Ryan, Chelsie Ryan, Tammie Case and her children and Earlene Donelson.

Through the evening hours we were reading scriptures and discussing things about God, sometimes staying up past 3AM. On this particular night we decided to worship to the sound of a CD. A large tree was beside our cabin. While we were worshiping I saw in the spirit that the tree was engulfed with fire which was bluish in color. I could only imagine that it was what Moses saw when he encountered God’s Presence in the burning bush. It was so majestic that just the memory of it still brings joy to my heart.

The Power of the Indwelling

By Larry R. Lasiter

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

The Corinthian Church was rich in the outward manifestation of the Spirit. Miracles were common in the Church, they prophesied and spoke in heavenly tongues. But they were lacking in spiritual maturity, -"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly." (1 Cor.3:1-3) The Corinthian Church had many manifestations of the out-pouring but they were struggling in the flesh because they were neglecting the indwelling - they were not allowing God, the Head of the House to have His way in their lives.

We must conclude that there is a difference between receiving the out-pouring of the Spirit and the indwelling of the Spirit. Visual signs are primarily a result of the out-pouring, but real change in a person comes from giving way to the indwelling. It is the indwelling that we must submit to in order to grow to spiritual maturity - to the stature of Christ.

There are many in the ministry who are pre-occupied with the out-pouring because of the manifestation of miracles yet struggle in their flesh because they fail to yield to God as the Lord of their lives through the indwelling. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew Chapter 7 saying, -"Many will say to Me on that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"

Let us understand that the Spirit is God - I believe the very essence of both the Father and the Son. The Spirit is not a thing or merely a power but is the personal manifestation of God. As our texts show, where the Spirit of God dwells, He dwells. In 2 Corinthians Paul revealed that the Lord is the Spirit, -"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor.3:17)

When we are born of the Spirit we become a living temple in which God Himself lives. Perhaps you were taught to pray to God as if He were far off somewhere, but in reality He is nearer than your next breath. You need not make a "long-distant" call because He is in the House. In Christ we receive the revelation that we have become His presence rather than a person seeking to enter into His presence. Since our body has become a holy temple in which God dwells, we are not to commit immorality which would work to defile the holy body. Paul’s answer to the problem of fleshly indulgence is to understand that we are God’s temple, have been purchased by the sacrifice of His Son, and do not belong to ourselves, -"You are not your own . . .for you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body."

Objective is a statement that is completely unbiased. It is not influenced by a person’s previous experiences. It is verifiable by looking up facts. Subjective is a statement which is colored by personal experience and observation. It has a basis in reality but reflects a personal perspective. When we see Christ as Lord objectively - exalted to the Throne in heaven - then we experience the out-pouring power of the Spirit upon us. When we see Christ as Lord subjectively - as Ruler of our lives - then we experience the indwelling power of the Spirit within us.

When God awoke us to the reality that He exists and is real - calling us to receive salvation through His Son - we experienced the out-pouring of His Spirit upon us, washing away our sins and clothing us with His power.

But then came the reality that He has cleaned the house for the purpose of moving in. Through the out-pouring we do the mighty works of Jesus, and through the indwelling we are transformed into what He is. Let us take heed that we do not neglect the work of the indwelling for by the out-pouring alone no one will see God. It is only through the indwelling that we come to intimately know and actually become the presence of God, -"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." (2 Cor.3:18)

By Larry R. Lasiter

Truth is the only reality. Truth can be veiled, be labeled as lies, or be trampled under foot-but it is still the truth. And just as the Living Truth in Christ rose from the grave, truth, itself will arise from the darkness of deceit and illuminate the world. Careful that you are not among those who scurry into the comfort of shifting shadows in order to avoid the reality of the divine light in the fullness of truth.

Odds and Ends

Testimony: "Yes Child, of course I was with you"

By: Awbrie Morgan

The lord is so precious. He has been so kind by lifting me up when I struggle, and revealing Himself to me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

One Friday night during praise and prayer service, I was with the Lord in my "secret place". It’s the place I like to go in my mind to praise God, meditate, and remind myself of His promises. This night I was thinking about God’s emotions toward us. (My view on this was that God was just sitting in heaven with a bag of popcorn watching over us and intervening in our lives when needed.) I started to think of the story of Lazarus, and how when Jesus heard that he was dead, he wept. Even though Jesus knew Lazarus would be resurrected, he felt the loss of a friend, and he felt compassion for the family.

That emotion was so great and He didn’t have to let Himself feel it, but He did. I was reminded of some of the testimonies where tears from above fell upon people as they worshiped or prayed. Big Daddy (Pastor Larry) has said that he’s seen Jesus walk up to us and embrace us with a hug. And I, myself have seen the Spirit of the Lord kiss a member tenderly on the forehead while she was singing. Praise Him!

So, with everything being brought to memory, I started to realize that God doesn’t just watch over us, He is ever with us. When we’re sad, He’s sad. And when we’re happy, He rejoices. This new realization had such an effect on me that I was still thinking about it the next day. I was looking back on one specific night that had happened just a couple weeks prior. I was deeply troubled and had come to the Church while no one was there. In my distress I fell on the floor weeping. I couldn’t get up, so I just laid there and cried.

I truly felt like I would see the Lord’s Presence that night, but I didn’t, and eventually I went home. But on Sabbath, because of this new understanding, I was drawn back to that night. I started to wonder if God was crying with me or if He was even there. At that moment, I was given an image. I was taken by the Spirit back to that night, and I could see myself on the floor with my back turned. And behind me was Jesus on His knees, broken. I heard, "Yes child, of course I was with you."

The Bible is like a telescope. If a man looks through his telescope he sees worlds beyond; but if he looks at his telescope, he does not see anything it. The Bible is a thing to be looked through to see that which is beyond; but most people only look at it and so they see only the dead letter.

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Muller

"Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all others thoughts are drained." Arthur Somers Roche

Paul considered himself Christ's ambassador. What is an ambassador? He is an authorized representative of a sovereign. He speaks not in his own name but on behalf of the ruler whose deputy he is, and his whole duty and responsibility is to interpret that ruler's mind faithfully to those to whom he is sent.

Paul used this "ambassador" image twice -- both in connection with his evangelistic work. Pray for me, he wrote from prison, "that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak" (Eph. 6:18-20). He wrote also that God "gave us the ministry of reconciliation...So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

Paul called himself an ambassador because he knew that when he proclaimed the gospel facts and promises and urged sinners to receive the reconciliation effected at Calvary, he was declaring Christ's message to the world. The figure of ambassadorship highlights the authority Paul had, as representing his Lord, as long as he remained faithful to the terms of his commission and said neither less nor more than he had been given to say.

ASSURANCE

Regarding salvation and assurance, there are three groups of people: (1) those who are secure but not sure; (2) those who are "sure" but not secure; and (3) those who are secure and sure. Category one are conscientious believers in Christ who are saved but lack assurance. In category two are professing Christians who say, "Even though I'm living in sin, I'll make it. After all, 'once saved, always saved!'" The third group are born-again believers who enjoy a warm, secure relationship with Christ each day. The objective basis of our salvation is the finished work of God's Son on the cross. The subjective basis for our assurance is our believing the truth about Christ (I John 2:2,4; 2:15; 5:1), loving the brethren (I John 3:14, 18, 19, 4:7-8), and obeying Christ's commandments (I John 2:3-5)